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Show All the Variables & Other Love Stories 35 "Perhaps he reinforces their sense of self-reliance by letting them work the ranch and build the house," said Todd Rhett. But that could not be it, since Ramon Spinoza was renowned across the four comers of Taos County as the laziest man in all of New Mexicodom. He was famous for making his wife do everything while he enjoyed being superfluous, and yet his wife, Esther, had also abandoned him for Hightower's company. "Perhaps he is emotionally responsive and interested in their thoughts and feelings. Maybe he tells them what makes him happy and what makes him sad," said Ramon Spinoza. "Casabon, do you think that could be it?" Casabon unburied his face from his hands and thought about his precious Esperanza. "No," he said. "Hightower told me it was a simple thing. Hell, I don't know. Maybe he puts the toilet seat down." Stefano Rojo said, "Well, we can't just let him get away with it! We have to do something!" and all the men agreed. They rallied themselves up to a manly pitch and set forth to rescue their wives. "Where is Escobar Mondragon?" Casabon asked. "I told him to be here. Why ain't he with us?" "He said he had more important things to do," said Todd Rhett. "What could be more important than getting his wife back?" Casabon wondered. "You boys go as far as the high road toward Questa. I'll get Escobar and meet you straightaway." Every stick of cutlery and china was heaped in the sink, the countertops buried beneath empty beer bottles and cigarette ash. Dust clouds rose from drab carpets underfoot and something skinned the inside of Casabon's nose like a dead thing. He |